5 habits to help you successfully work from home this autumn

If your home is also your place of work – either full-time or on the odd occasion when your boss allows you to work remotely – it is important to take the time to consider how you are going to maximise your productivity. From the fridge to the TV to the view outside your window, there can be many distractions that prevent you from getting the best out of your day.

Here are just a few of our top tips on habits that can help you work from home so that even the luxurious surroundings of a Quartermile apartment don’t deter you from getting things done.

1.Make use of that commuting time you’ve gained

One great benefit of working from home is that you no longer have to commute to the office. For many people, hours of the day can be wasted stuck in traffic or aboard a train. Instead of using your new-found free time as an excuse for a lie-in, get your personal errands out of the way first thing in the morning.

Laundry, cleaning and preparing meals can easily eat into your working day, so keep your schedule clear by completing these tasks when you otherwise would be travelling. The extra sleep might be appealing, but you might even find that you have more energy after waking up early. When you’ve already spent an hour getting some simple tasks out of the way, it’s likely that you’ll quickly shake off that early morning grogginess and be able to settle into work much quicker. 

2.Get outside

A less favourable aspect of autumn is the colder weather that it brings. With license to switch on the central heating, a cosy indoor environment may not be conducive to efficient working. To wake up your system, try going outside for a brief stroll before starting work. Take the opportunity to get some exercise by going for a quick jog or brisk walk and see if it has any effect on your work. Even walking the dog or doing the morning coffee run can refresh you for the day ahead. No matter how much you love your new-build apartment, failing to leave the house for days on end is not advisable.

3.Set a daily schedule

Even if you have left your school and university days long behind you, a personal timetable can be a great addition to your working life. A daily schedule, which details what tasks you’re going to perform each day, can help you stay motivated and avoid distractions. If your work is disrupted for some reason – as it often can be when working from home – then it’s a lot easier to get back on track if you can reorganise your time efficiently.

4.Look after your environment

We’ve already established that a warm and cosy room, whilst perfect for the chilly autumn nights, might not be the best environment to work in. It is important to treat wherever you’re working – whether it’s your living room, bedroom or coffee shop table – as a dedicated home office. For that reason, try to keep your working environment clean and attractive. If possible, open a window to increase the air circulation in the room. Try and sit (or even stand!) at a desk, rather than relaxing in bed or on a sofa. These steps might seem unnecessary, but your working environment can have a significant effect on the quality of the work you produce.

5.Check in with colleagues

If you’re a young professional living alone, working from home is likely to get lonely. Without other people in the office to keep you on task, it can be very easy to let yourself become distracted. One way to keep motivated – and beat the solitude that comes with a home office – is to try and check in with your other colleagues. You can do this in any way you like, whether it’s sending them an email or even inviting them to your house or local coffee shop to work together. Whichever way you choose, keeping in touch with your colleagues is sure to give you a motivational boost during the working day.

Looking for the perfect new home from which you can work with ease? Look no further than Quartermile. Discover a life less ordinary now.